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Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India on November 9 , 2000 . Uttarakhand borders China in the north and Nepal to the east, while its neighbour states are Himachal Pradesh to the west and Uttar Pradesh (of which it formed a part before 2000) in the south. The region is traditionally referred to as Uttarakhand in old literature and scriptures which derives from the Sanskrit for North Country . The capital of Uttarakhand is Dehra Dun which is also a rail-head and the largest city in the region. |
Nainital is a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital District in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalaya . Situated at an altitude of 1938 m (6,350 ft) above sea-level, Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately 2 miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (2615 m) on the north, Deopatha (2438 m) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2278 m) on the south. From the tops of the higher peaks, "magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas."
Nainital has temperate summers (maximum temperature 27°C, or 80°F; minimum temperature 10°C, or 50°F) during which its population increases more than five fold with an annual influx of tourists predominantly from the plains of Northern India. In the winter, Nainital receives snowfall between December and February with the temperatures varying between a maximum of 15°C (59°F) and a minimum of -3°C (26°F). |
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Mussoorie is a hill station situated in the foothills of the Himalaya ranges in north Indian state of Uttarakhand . It is also known as the "Queen of the Hills". The adjoining town of Landour , which includes a military cantonment , is considered part of 'greater Mussoorie', as are the townships of Barlowganj and Jharipani.
Being at an average altitude of 2,000 meters (6,600 ft.), Mussoorie, with its green hills and varied flora and fauna , is a fascinating hill resort. Commanding snow ranges to the north-east, and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges in the south, the town was once said to present a 'fairyland' atmosphere to tourists.
Its history dates back to 1825 when Captain Young, an adventurous British military officer, together with a Mr. Shore, the resident Superintendent of Revenues at Dehradun explored the present site and jointly constructed a shooting lodge. This laid the foundation of this holiday resort which now has few rivals. Mussoorie is famous for its scenic beauty and hectic social life. It provides all kinds of amusement and every facility for domestic and foreign tourists.
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Rishikesh (from Rishikesh , another name for Lord Vishnu ), in the state of Uttarakhand , is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India . It is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas and it is located about 25 kilometers away from another holy city, Haridwar , and is considered an access point for the cities that form the Char Dham - Badrinath , Kedarnath , Gangotri , and Yamunotri . The sacred river Ganga (anglicized to Ganges) flows through Rishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains Himalayas , and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the river in Rishikesh. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries.
The city has several Yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of salvation , or moksha , as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. It is also becoming a hot spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges. |
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Badrinath is a Hindu holy town in Uttarakhand , India and the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. Badrinath is situated in the Garhwal hills Chamoli district tracks on the banks of river Alaknanda at a height of 3133 m above sea level.
Located only a few kilometers from the Indo- China (Tibet) border, Badrinath is generally a two-day-long journey from either Kedarnath , the site that precedes it in the Char Dham circuit, or one of the main disembarkation points on the plains. Also a member of the all-India Char Dham, Badrinath is one of the most important Vaisnava temples in India. As the route to Badrinath is for much of the way also the route to Hemkund Sahib , an important Sikh pilgrimage site, the road to Badrinath is especially crowded. The temple and its substantial surrounding village are accessible by road. The actual temple is a striking building whose bright colors evoke the painted Buddhist ghompas of the region; rumor has it that the temple was originally controlled by Buddhists. |
Kedarnath is a Hindu holy town located in the Uttarakhand state of India . Kedarnath, where a form of the Lord Shiva is venerated as one of the twelve jyotirling ( linga of light), is one of the four sites in India's pilgrimage Char Dham . The most remote of the four Char Dham sites, Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas , about 3584m above sea level near the head of river Mandakini , and is flanked by breathtaking snow-capped peaks.
Besides its affiliation with Shiva, Kedarnath is also believed to be the site of Shankaracharya 's samadhi (achievement of beatified afterlife). The actual temple is an impressive stone edifice of unknown date. No specific family of pujaris supervises rituals at Kedarnath, which focus around veneration of the stone lingam that rests in the inner sanctum of the temple.
Kedarnath is accessible only after a steep 13 km trek through a paved path (horses or palanquins are available for rent) from Gaurikund , which is connected by road from Rishikesh , Haridwar , Dehradun and other important hill stations of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttarakhand . The temple is open only during the months of May to October, due to heavy snowfall and extreme cold weather during winter. |
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Gangotri is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi , in the Indian state of Uttarakhand . It is on the Greater Himalayan Range , at a height of 10,100 ft.
 This small town is centered around a temple of the goddess Ganga , which was built by the Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century. It is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The Gangotri temple can be reached in one day's travel from Rishikesh , Haridwar or Dehradun , or in two days from Yamunotri , the first site in the Char Dham circuit. More popular and important than its sister site to the east, Gangotri is also accessible directly by car and bus, meaning that it sees many more pilgrims than Yamunotri. Several guesthouses and restaurants in the town serves the pilgrim community. Ritual duties are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris . The aarti ceremony at the Gangotri is especially impressive, as is the temple, a stately affair that sits on the banks of the rushing Ganga. Adventurous pilgrims can make an overnight 17 km trek to Gaumukh , the actual current source of the river Ganga .
The temple is closed on the Diwali day every year and is reopened in May. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village, near Harsil. |
Gaumukh ( Mouth of Cow )
Source where the Ganga
emerges from . . |
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The Yamunotri temple is located in Uttarakhand , India, a full day's journey from Uttarakhand's main towns — Rishikesh , Haridwar or Dehradun .
The actual temple is only accessible by a six kilometer walk from the town of Hanuman Chatti and a four kilometer walk from Janki Chatti (horses or palanquins are available for rent). The current temple is of recent origin, as past iterations have been destroyed by the weather and elements. Lodging at the temple itself is limited to a few small ashrams and guesthouses. Ritual duties such as the making and distribution of prasad (sanctified offerings) and the supervision of pujas (ritual venerations) are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris (priests). Unique aspects of ritual practice at the site include hot springs where raw rice is cooked and made into prasad . |
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